INTRODUCTION

Death is the departure of the soul and spirit from the body, but where does each part go when a man dies? A man’s body may be laid to rest in a number of ways, but it eventually gives way to corruption. It is this part of man that is said to "sleep" (1 Corinthians 11:30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
See All...; 1 Corinthians 15:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
See All..., 18, 51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
See All...). The spirit, however, does not rest. It leaves the body, returning to "God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
See All...; see also Ecclesiastes 3:21Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
See All...). This is true for all men, saved or lost. The soul, on the other hand, is quite different. As man’s decision maker, it is this part of man that will live forever in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
See All...) or in hell (Luke 16:23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) If a man dies, his body stays here (Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  See All...) and it is said to be sleeping (1 Kings 2:1Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
  See All...a, 10; John 11:11-14 [11] These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. [12] Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. [13] Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. [14] Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
  See All...). The spirit returns to God (Luke 23:46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
  See All...; Acts 7:59-60 [59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. [60] And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
  See All...). The soul lives on in heaven or hell (Psalm 9:17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
  See All...a, Romans 2:5-9 [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: [7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
  See All...; John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
  See All..., Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
  See All...).
• Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour? If so, what does the Bible say has happened to your soul (1 Peter 1:9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
  See All...)? How does this give you hope for life after death?
• Can you remember a time when you were born again? If you have never trusted Christ, you will go to hell when you die (Luke 16:23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
  See All...) only to end up in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
  See All...).

PRAYER NEEDS

• If you are saved, thank God for the salvation you have in Christ.
• If you are lost, call upon God for salvation.

HYMN

Are You Washed in the Blood?

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